Nigeria’s Survival is a Wonder With The Level of Corruption – EFCC Chairman

The Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ola Olukoyede, has expressed his frustration and disbelief at the staggering level of corruption in Nigeria.

While receiving the management team of the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission, Olukoyede stated that the humongous amounts stolen in various cases are mind-boggling, and it’s a wonder the country still exists.

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“When I look at some case files and see the humongous amount of money stolen, I wonder how we are still surviving. If you see some case files, you will weep,” Olukoyede said. “The way they move unspent budget allocation to private accounts in commercial banks before midnight at the end of a budget circle, you will wonder what kind of spirit drives us as Nigerians.”

He identified public corruption as the biggest challenge facing the country, emphasizing that if tackled, Nigeria would fare better than many countries worldwide. Olukoyede stressed the need for transparency and accountability in both the public and private sectors for optimal development.

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“A situation where somebody would hold a public office or position of trust for years and you call him to account and he says No, he would not account, is not acceptable,” he said.

Olukoyede’s frustration is not new, as the EFCC has been battling corruption in Nigeria for years. In 2020, the commission arrested several high-profile individuals, including former government officials, for corruption charges. Despite these efforts, corruption remains a significant challenge in the country.

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As Olukoyede noted, “Corruption poses a huge challenge to the country, but with our prevention mechanisms, we will ensure that the commission stays ahead of the devices of the corrupt to ensure that Nigerians have good governance experiences.”